Here’s where things stand with Kansas football’s special teams units as opener approaches

LAWRENCE — Fans of Kansas’ football team will have the chance this weekend to see their Jayhawks in action ahead of the Sept. 2 home opener against Tennessee Tech.

On Saturday, Kansas will hold an open practice at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Gates are set to open at 8 a.m., ahead of practice getting started at about 8:30 a.m. And whether it’s what’s happening at quarterback, or maybe linebacker or wide receiver, there should be some opportunities to get a look where the program is at in the second year of Lance Leipold’s tenure as its head coach.

►RELATED: Kansas football hasn’t quite found its O-line depth, but Lance Leipold says it's developing

But there are competitions ongoing at various special teams spots, too. Special teams coordinator Taiwo Onatolu may admit that they won’t truly know about their coverage units until they kick things off for the first time, but there’s a clear level of depth there that wasn’t present in 2021. Overall, here’s a look at where things stand for the Jayhawks’ special teams units.

Who’s handling kickoffs, field goals for Kansas football?

Last season, Jacob Borcila attempted all of Kansas’ field goals. He went 9-for-15, with a long of 50 yards. He also connected on all but one of his 27 extra point attempts.

This season Borcila, a redshirt junior, appears to be in line to handle those responsibilities again. Onatolu noted there is still a competition, but allowed that right now Borcila is the Jayhawks’ guy at that spot.

They are splitting up kickoff and field goal duties. Junior Tabor Allen is in line to handle kickoffs for Kansas, after kicking the vast majority of them a year ago, averaging 61.1 yards per attempt and recording 35 touchbacks.

Who’s punting?

Onatolu said there’s a battle ongoing here as well, with junior Reis Vernon back after handling the vast majority of the responsibilities in 2021. Vernon averaged 40.4 yards per punt last season, with seven falling inside the 20 and six going for 50-plus. It’s not a done deal that Vernon starts there, as analysts are continuing to chart how the competitors fare.

Onatolu thinks the competition could play out through the entire season, unlike what someone would be looking for at quarterback. They’re following hang time, accuracy and how an individual follows the scheme. They understand there’ll be quick defenders coming after their punts during Big 12 Conference play, so they are keeping that in mind as well.

“Let it play out,” Onatolu said. “We’ve got plenty of time.”

►RELATED: Kansas football earns commitment from 3-star QB Kasen Weisman in 2023 recruiting class

Who’s returning kicks?

Kwamie Lassiter II, now in the midst of his professional career, was the only Kansas player to record a stat on punt returns last season. So, there’s an obvious role to fill there that Onatolu indicated could be going to junior wide receiver Luke Grimm.

Senior safety Kenny Logan Jr. returned most of the Jayhawks’ kickoff opportunities in 2021, and averaged 27.9 yards per return with a long of 83. He’s back and the front-runner there.

Other names to think about redshirt sophomore running back Sevion Morrison, redshirt sophomore running back Ky Thomas, sophomore running back Devin Neal and redshirt junior wide receiver Kevin Terry. Onatolu highlighted all of them as talents who’ve done well so far, in addition to redshirt junior wide receiver Trevor Wilson. They just have to be able to fit what the team is looking for.

“Punt return, it’s catching the ball, right? Secure the change of possession. That, because it’s one of the hardest things,” Onatolu said. “Kick return … Kenny plays a lot on defense, obviously, and we need a good backup guy there. And a guy that can come in and … get upfield, be explosive and get the ball back for our offense in good field position.”

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Here’s where things stand with Kansas football’s special teams units